PHOTOELECTRIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMISING THE MONITORING OF A CHIP GAME PRACTICED IN A CASINO

Abstract

 The invention has as object a system and the method implemented by the system for the optimisation of the monitoring of a game with tokens used in a casino. The system has as component an optoelectric subsystem (S1) known in itself which permits both the monitoring of the gaming table, in real time, as well as the generation of reports necessary for the casino management team, a subsystem (S2) with video camera (10) and a module (MJC) for the identification of counterfeit tokens, a subsystem (S3) for generating holograms comprising of a device for generating holograms (11) and a module for generating holograms (MGH), a subsystem (S4) for generating automatic jackpot following the bets placed at live tables, made up of a jackpot display (12) and a generating jackpot module (MGJ), a subsystem (S5) for drying the dealer's palms comprising of a miniature ventilator (13) commanded manually or by photoelectric sensors (16) and a command module (MAV) and, respectively, a subsystem (S6) for generating synchronised sound made up of a diffuser (14) connected to a sound generating module (MGS).
The method for optimising the monitoring permits, in addition to the implementation of the functions of the above-mentioned subsystems, also the automatic and fair allocation of dealers at the tables, taken into account the dealers' working schedule and the casino opening hours, the balance obtained by dealers at the tables, incompatibilies related to players and others.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Present invention refers to a photoelectric system and to the method for the optimisation of monitoring of value tokens from casino, of the colour tokens from the roulette game as well as of the betting boxes from the card games.

[0002] The system is applicable to games from most casinos, in which the tokens which are located in electronic floats are regularly made from plastic or ceramics, without having incorporated identification chip, being known the disadvantage of using such type of tokens, namely that, as a rule, they do not permit their monitoring in real time or with accuracy the financial situation at the gaming tables nor they prevent their theft for counterfeiting purposes.

Background Art

[0003] For the purpose of monitoring the regular type tokens from the floats, it is known the solution from the patent document RO 2015 00373 "Photoelectric system for the monitoring of a game with tokens in a casino" which comprises of a system for the monitoring of value tokens without integrated identification chip, on the basis of a specially conceived photoelectric system. The system is made up of at least one float, each containing 1...n rows of value tokens, 1....n rows of colour tokens and 1...n betting boxes from the card games, each of the floats being provided with a concave optic guide in which an electronic module with photoelectric sensors is mounted, for each token, on one side of the float being fitted an own light source constituted by a series of infrared LEDs, one LED for each token, with wavelength from visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectrum, depending on the optic sensors used by system and, on the other side of the float, being fitted colour sensors for the counting and identification of the colour of the tokens. The signals from the electronic module are processed in a central unit which monitors the financial situation from the gaming table.

[0004] It is also known the technical solution from the patent document US 2006/199649A1, based on the processing of the signals obtained by means of a driving mechanism with reading head , with whom a photograph of the pattern of the margins and of the colour of the tokens is taken, for obtaining a financial result. The disadvantage of this system stems from its mechanical complexity which in principle makes it less viable as it relies on a more complicated processing of the monitoring data.

[0005] There are also known technical solutions used in the real-time monitoring of the financial situation, by means of using of chip tokens at the tables, whose principles of functioning and the technique for the identification of information contained in the chip token make them in principle appropriate to the development of functioning methods for the game systems based on processing parallel digital signals. The disadvantage of these solutions stems from the fact that they cannot be applied to regular systems with simple tokens, given the complexity of the data processing architecture and implicitly in the higher functioning and maintenance costs.

[0006] The presented systems have some functional limitations stemming, on one part, from the complexity of solutions aiming to identify counterfeit tokens during the game and the automatic generation of jackpot and, on the other part, from the weak interaction between the human factor present at the table and the monitoring system.

[0007] For the purpose of automatic generation of jackpot, the technical solution is known from the patent document WO 2012100286A1, which presents a system for generating jackpot at live tables based on the manual insertion by the dealer of the amount used for winning the jackpot.

[0008] It is also known the technical solution from the patent document US2015099577A1 according to which the data on such bets are manually introduced with a view of automatic generating the jackpot at live tables.

[0009] The disadvantages of these systems stem from the fact that the introduction of data is made by man, the human error in these situations being thus possible. In addition, the players must wait until the dealerdealer introduces the data with the keyboard, which supposes additional time for manual introduction of data.

Summary of invention

[0010] The technical solution solved by this system and its corresponding method, as per the claimed invention, is to extend and to optimise the functionality of the current systems for monitoring the tokens from several tables, regardless of the type of tokens, of their colour and of the ambient light, such optimisation being accomplished through automatic and early determination of counterfeit tokens during the game, the automatic generation of jackpot at the live tables and through optimised interaction between the human factor present at the table and the monitoring system.

[0011] The system for the optimisation of the monitoring of a chip game in a casino comprises five subsystems which interact with a base subsystem known in itself. Thus, the base subsystem is made up of at least one float, each containing 1....n rows of value tokens, 1....n rows of colour tokens and 1...n betting boxes at the cards games, each of the floats being fitted with a concave optic guide in which an electronic module with photoelectric sensors is mounted, for each token, one side of the float being provided with an own light source made up of a series of infrared LEDs, one LED for each token, with wavelength from visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectrum, depending on the optic sensors used and, on the other side of the float, being mounted colour sensors for the counting and the identification of the colour of the tokens.

[0012] The concave optic guide facilitates both the propagation of light from the light source and the reflexion and diffraction phenomena.

[0013] The electronic module, equipped with optic sensors for the counting and the identification of the colour of the tokens and with photoelectric sensors for the identification of the value of the tokens and of the betting box, contains one microcontroller which takes over the information from the sensors, calculates the balance of the tables and associates such balance with the dealer present at the game table, through a dedicated software application, whose role it to store all data in a central database which permits both the monitoring of the table in real time as well as the generation of reports necessary to the casino management team.

[0014] A subsystem for the identification of the counterfeit tokens is destined to identify the edge lettering from the margin of the token, in real time, through a video camera each mounted at each end of the row. By means of a specialised software module specially conceived for video camera, it is observed in real time whether the token is counterfeit or not, without being necessary for the token to reach the cashier desk and to be scrutinized opticly by the dealer, thus it is possible to detect the counterfeit tokens directly at the live playing table.

[0015] A subsystem for generating holograms relies on the fact that the tokens are individually monitored by means of installing a photoelectric sensor for each token so that, when a jackpot type price is awarded at the live tables, with the help of a device that generates holographic images connected to a system and of a software module it is thus possible to generate basically a multitude of images that offers a new experience to the player, allowing thus the system to be in direct and spontaneous interaction with the human factor.

[0016] A subsystem for automatic generation of jackpot following the bets placed at live tables works together with the base subsystem that monitors the float and the betting boxes in real time and achieves a jackpot type bonus system identical to the one generating jackpot at the slot machines. Given that it provides for a balance for each betting box by means of monitoring the tokens that enter and exit the float at each betting session in real time, the subsystem secures the generation of jackpot at the table by incrementing a percentage from each bet placed at the betting box.

[0017] A subsystem for drying of dealer's palms is designed to eliminate the unpleasant situation, when the dealer has its palms sweat and has the tendency to wipe them off on the table or on the clothes, through a miniature ventilator installed on the side parts of the float that blows air for the dealer to dry his/her palms.

[0018] Lastly, the system incorporates a subsystem for generating a sound synchronised with the movement of the token from the electronic float which, relying on the information that in the base subsystem the tokens are individually monitored each having installed a photoelectric sensor for each token, in the moment when the token enters or exits the float, generates one or more polyphonic sound upon each entrance and exit of the token from the device or upon reaching an amount pre-set by the system with the help of a diffuser connected through which a software module.

[0019] The optimised monitoring method implements the above-mentioned functions in the system, achieving in addition also the fair allocation of dealers depending on the balance obtained by dealers at the gaming tables and taken into account the corresponding allocation of dealers' working schedule.

[0020] The system for the optimisation of monitoring of a game with tokens used in a casino and the corresponding method, as per the invention, presents the following advantages:

• extends the known functions of the current systems;
• permits the finding of counterfeit tokens directly at the playing table;
• generates automatic jackpot, without the intervention of operators given the electronic calculation of the amount played at the betting box, excluding thus the time for the manual introduction of data and minimizing human error;
• allows for fair allocation of dealers based on the balance obtained by each dealer at the playing tables;
• facilitates the interaction man-machine/system by means of generating sounds and images adequately to the gaming and ambient conditions.

Brief description of drawings

[0021] Herein below there is presented an example of executing the system, according to the invention, in relation to the fig. 1....11, which represents:

Fig. 1: Block scheme of the base subsystem for the monitoring of a game with tokens practiced in a casino;

Fig. 2: Block scheme of the optimised photoelectric subsystem for the monitoring of a game with tokens practiced in a casino;

Fig. 3: Float view of the photoelectric system for the monitoring of a game with tokens used in a casino;

Fig. 4: View placement of sensors of the photoelectric system for the monitoring of a game with coloured tokens;

Fig. 5: View placement of sensors of the photoelectric system for the monitoring of a game with colour tokens at the card games;

Fig. 6: View placement of sensors of the photoelectric system for the monitoring of betting boxes at the card gamess

Fig. 7: Placement of video cameras in the concave guide;

Fig. 8: Points visible on a token; a) general, b) on value coins;

Fig. 9: Allocation of concave guide to verification areas;

Fig. 10: Measurable type on tokens;

Fig. 11: Allocation of dealer for players formation.

Description of embodiments

[0022] The photoelectric system for the optimisation of monitoring of a game with tokens used in a casino, according to the invention, is comprised of a base subsystem (S1) known in itself - Fig. 1, and respectively of five subsystems that interact with the former - Fig. 2. respectively a subsystem (S2) for the identification of counterfeit tokens, a subsystem (S3) for generating holograms, a subsystem (S4) for automatic generating the jackpot, a subsystem (S5) for drying the dealer's palms and a subsystem (S6) for generating a sound synchronized with the movement of the token in the electronic tray/float respectively.

[0023] The base subsystem (S1) is made up of several floats F1....Fn, each with 1....n rows of value tokens (1), 1...n rows with colour tokens (2) and 1...n betting boxes (3) from the cards games. Each of the floats F1 ....Fn is provided with a concave optic guide (4) in which an electronic module (5) with photoelectric sensors (6) on each token is mounted.

[0024] On one side of the float F1....Fn is placed one own light source (7) constituted by a series of LEDs in infrared, one LED for each token. The light source (7) can have the wavelength from visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectrum, depending on the optic sensors used.

[0025] The concave optic guide (4) facilitates both the propagation of light from the source (7) as well as reflexion and diffraction phenomena.

[0026] On the other side part of the float F1....Fn there are colour sensors (8) placed which confirm that all tokens (2) are of the same colour.

[0027] The electronic module (5) is equipped with colour sensors (8) for the counting and identification of the tokens' colour (2), of the value of the tokens (1) and of the value of the betting boxes (3) as well as a microcontroller (9) that takes over the information from the sensors, calculates the balance at the game table and assigns it to the dealer C1....Cn present at game tables.

[0028] The microcontroller (9) from each electronic module (5) of each float F1....Fn makes the acquisition of data as well as their processing and transmission to a central unit (CU) through a central switch (CS). In this microcontroller (5) there is installed a dedicated software application which has the role to store all information in a central database (CD) to allow both the monitoring of the game table, in real time, and the generating of reports necessary to the casino management team. Following the real-time analysis of data and of the statistic information taken from the central unit (CU) decisions for optimal reallocation of dealers to the game tables can be taken.

[0029] In the same time, the decisions and all that represents processing of data are sent to the central unit (CU) for their storage and subsequent analysis.

[0030] The optic sensors (6) for counting the tokens are placed at equal distance, one for each token in slots (not presented in the figure) placed at the bottom of the sensors series, delivering an electric signal depending on whether or not it detects a token next to it.

[0031] The sensors (8) for the identification of the colour of the tokens are placed on the side part of the float F1.....Fn, the one opposed to the light source (7), for recognising the colour of the token respectively the denomination associated based on colour. Information on colour from the sensors (8) is taken over by the microcontroller (9) through a serial communication bus type 12C.

[0032] The electronic module (5) takes over the signals from the optic sensors (6) and from the colour sensors (8) and adequately processes them via the central unit (CU).

[0033] The electronic subsystem (S1) can comprise of a video camera (15) for the facial recognition and of a software module, known in itself, which allow the identification of player once he/she enters the premises.

[0034] Hereby below there is presented an example of executing the subsystem for the monitoring of colour tokens from the roulette games, according to the invention.

[0035] It is known that, at roulette games, in addition to the float F1...Fn in which the value tokens (1) exist, there are also other types of tokens, namely colour tokens (2) which stay only in formation of 13 each of 20 tokens each and which are named ""stack" SC1.....SCn (1 stack = 20 colour tokens (2)), tokens (2) that receive a certain value depending on the denomination the player wants to play on.

[0036] One roulette has in principle 7 colours of 10 stacks each.

[0037] For example, the brown colour of 5 / token, 1 brown stack = 100 tokens.

[0038] It is also known that, at roulette game, one way to monitor the colour tokens (2) is achieved through the so-called chipping machines ("Chipper Champ 2 by TCS John Huxley"). These tokens collecting machines contain colour sensors. They are mounted at the roulette table in the area dedicated to the collection of tokens the players placed their bet on.

[0039] This solution is good but in the same time very expensive.

[0040] One alternative for this monitoring system is the system according to this invention which contains one assemble of 10 optic sensors (6), one for each stack (13).

[0041] Above the game table there is installed a device emitting light in infrared spectrum.

[0042] In order to be able to monitor the colour tokens (2) in number less than 20, it is necessary to mount a system for the monitoring of tokens according to the invention to contain 7 series of optic sensors (6) and 7 series of colour sensors (8), one for each colour.

[0043] The condition is that the series of sensors (6) and (8) must contain 20 photoelectric sensors, one for each colour token, while the dimension of the series must be exactly of 20 tokens.

[0044] The signals from the sensors (6) and (8) for the detection of stacks are processed by the microcontroller (9) and by the central unit (CU) respectively, enabling thus the monitoring of the flux and of the number of colour tokens from the roulette game.

[0045] Herein below there is presented an example of executing the subsystem for the monitoring of the betting boxes at the card games, as per the invention.

[0046] It is known that, at the card games, there are drawing "boxes" (3) dedicated to betting.

[0047] The system, according to the invention, provides for one photoelectric sensor (6) for each box (3) in part, which supports the monitoring of the number of played boxes.

[0048] Above the game table, there is installed a device emitting light in infrared spectrum.

[0049] At the moment when value tokens (1) are placed on the betting box, the dealer who deals the cards must place the first card offered to the player on the photoelectric sensor (6) so that the central unit (CU) is able to register the betting box as opened.

[0050] The signals from sensors (6) for the detection of boxes (3) for betting are taken over by the microcontroller (9) and adequately processed by the central unit (CU).

[0051] This is how the number of opened/closed boxes at the playing tables are monitored.

[0052] The subsystem allows the implementation of the original procedure for the distribution of dealers at the tables without the manager's (pit boss) intervention with the scope of fairly distributing the dealers based on the balanced obtained by each dealer at the playing tables.

[0053] Thus, it is known that the dealers staff is allocated in work shifts to cover the whole period when the casino is open, the dealers being distributed at the tables by the pit boss on hourly basis intervals both to secure their replacement at the tables and to offer the dealers equal resting time. Depending on the workload of the casino, the dealers spend more or less time at the gaming tables, however in principle the dealer changes tables at 20 or 30 minutes intervals.

[0054] Pit boss distributes the dealers to the tables and marks them in a table or paper form or in an electronic device like tablets for keeping evidence. Based on the above-mentioned procedures, the system calculates the balance of each dealer who works at the tokens device. The system is provided for each table with an access control module, known in itself, with which the dealers register themselves in the device.

[0055] Before starting work with the tokens from the device, the dealer has its balance at the gaming table calculated both on the moment he/she registered him/herself in the device and on the moment when the following dealer registers with the device.

[0056] It is also known that the system calculates the value of each payment at the individual betting boxes (3). The holders present at the table can be attributed to the betting boxes, by selecting the betting box from the interface of the software application dedicated to the respective table which accesses the database of the casino reception with the players present in the casino.

[0057] Based on the above depicted, namely if the dealers' working schedule is introduced in the software application of the subsystem monitoring the value tokens and the betting boxes (3), based on a software logic, the allocation of dealers at the gaming tables can be automatically generated, offering thus the players the possibility to play with different dealers, the latter being replaced based on the above-mentioned software algorithm.

[0058] The implementation of the procedure makes it necessary to use monitors to show the dealers and the gaming tables where these are to perform their activity, with a software interface at each gaming tables, known in itself.

[0059] In the first procedural stage, the specific working day is selected from the employees' schedule, then the dealers list with work shifts on that day is shown and afterwards the opening gaming tables are selected.

[0060] If, for example, there are one table and two dealers, the system selects for the opened table one available dealer located in the resting room. For the next twenty minutes, the system selects one available dealer in the resting room to replace the one already at the opened table and afterwards the procedure repeats itself.

[0061] In case of 2 tables and 3 dealers, the algorithm functions as follows:

Table 1

Step 1: the system selects:	- position 1 and allocates the M1gaming table;
	- position 2 and allocates the M2 gaming table;
	- position 3 remains in break;
Step 2: the system selects:	- position 3 and allocates the M1gaming table;
	- position 1 and allocates the M2 gaming table;
	- position 2 remains in break;
Step 3: the system selects:	- position 2 and allocates the M1gaming table;
	- position 3 and allocates the M2 gaming table;
	- position 1 remains in break;
Step 4: the system selects:	- position 1 and allocates the M1gaming table;
	- position 2 and allocates the M2 gaming table;
	- position 3 remains in break;

[0062] And then the 4-step procedure repeats itself, according to the situation to follow.

	Steps	1	2	3	4	5	6	1	2	3	4	5	6
Sequence	Time	8	8:20	8:40	9	9:20	9:40	10	10:20	10:40	11	11:20	11:40
1	C1	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/
2	C2	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1
3	C3	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2	/	M1	M2

[0063] Now, in case there are 3 tables and 5 dealers, the following algorithm applies accordingly:

	Steps	1	2	3	4	5	1	2	3	4	5	1	2	3	4	5
Sequence	Time	8	8:20	8:40 1	9 2	9:20 3	9:40 4	10 5	10:20 6	10:40 7	11 8	11:20 9	11:40 10	12 11
1	C1	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/
2	C2	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/
3	C3	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2
4	C4	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3
5	C5	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1	/	M2	M3	/	M1

[0064] In this manner, a repetitive system may be conceived depending on number of tables and of dealers respectively that are available throughout a playing day.

[0065] The presented procedure is applicable to a casino that would function in ideal conditions, namely without the player being able to request the replacement of the dealer or to request the dealer to leave the table. In this case, the application allows a command to be sent to the system in order to bring a dealer back from the break and to send the replaced one to the break, without taking into account the dealer automatic allocation pattern.

[0066] Taken into consideration that the system has information on the presence of the players and on the dealers at the gaming tables, the system can implicitly associate the players present at the table with the balance of the dealer at the end of the work shift at the table (20 or 30 minutes), as follows:

• The dealer allocates the player to a betting box;
• The system verifies in BD - Fig. 11 - the balances of the dealers who interacted with the selected player at the gaming table where the player's betting box was allocated and checks whether there are present the dealers that could be part of the possible ranking (player vs. dealer/table).
• The system searches for the list of dealers present and, after it establishes the ranking, three dealers dealer categories shall result namely:
  1. Dealers with positive balance;

  2. Dealers with negative balance;

  3. Dealers with 0 balance.

[0067] The previous procedure continues on condition that on the same table the same dealer does not return earlier than 40 minutes.

[0068] In case the system disposes of video camera (15) and of facial recognition module, it shall allocate the recognized player as per the respective procedure to the betting box.

[0069] The subsystem (S2) for the identification of counterfeit tokens, as per this invention, allows the identification of the edge lettering on the side part of the token, in real time, knowing that on the edge shape of the tokens used in a casino there is a specific model, design, that sometimes is stamped on all tokens of same value (for example, all tokens of 100), executed by the manufacturer at casino's choice.

[0070] For checking these normal tokens (without RFID) there are UV lamps for identifying the counterfeit tokens, that also have a design printed with special colourless paint and which reacts to UV light.

[0071] This technique is presently used by means of applying the design with colourless paint both on the edge shape as well as on the two faces of the token.

[0072] There are also known systems with video camera mounted above the table and which allow the recognition of colour of the tokens and which are able to calculate the total value of the float but which do not identify whether the tokens are counterfeit or not.

[0073] This system is influenced by the dealer's hands which works above the float and it basically cannot present accurate and real-time balance as the information is provided solely when the dealer ceases to work above the float.

[0074] The subsystem (S2) for the identification of counterfeit tokens, as per the invention, is based on the technical solution for finding the tokens without being influenced by the dealer' hands positioning, by using a video camera mounted on each end of the tokens series. The counterfeit tokens identification module (MJC) is implemented through a dedicated software specialized for video camera, for the real time identification of counterfeit tokens, directly from the gaming table.

[0075] This way there is no longer necessary for the token to reach the cashier office and to be subject to optic control of the cashier, being thus solved the technical aspect of identification of counterfeit tokens directly at the gaming table.

[0076] The procedure to identify counterfeiting tokens in the MJC module resides from the premise that the concave guide (4) is fitted with photoelectric sensors (6) on the bottom side namely where the token becomes one common part with the concave guide (4).

[0077] On one side, there are colour sensors mounted (8) placed on one third on the side of the concave guide. On the side, there is mounted the infrared light (7) which is in direct rapport to the photoelectric sensors.

[0078] On the other side, it is mounted the visible light which is in direct rapport with the colour sensors.

[0079] At both ends of the guide, there is mounted a video camera (10 - Fig. 7) and the module MJC shall process the information by calculating the distance between the two or more coordinates located on the margin namely one the token edge (Fig. 8a).

[0080] These drawings located on the edge of the token represent an identical pattern for each denomination (Fig. 8b) (for example, for 5 value token there is one pattern, for 25 value token another pattern and for the 100-value token another third pattern).

[0081] The drawing mandatory for all tokens in the same denomination must be the same, implicitly also the distance between the coordinates. This pattern placed on the edge of the token with the specific drawing is special construed against counterfeiting and there are also used other invisible colours that become visible against specific light spectrum. If the concave guide is provided with a light that makes visible the pattern existing on the edge of the token, the video camera will be able to measure the distance between two or more coordinates located in the pattern of the drawing placed on the margin (token's edge). It is necessary to mount two video cameras (10) on the concave guide (4) namely on the two ends of the concave guide (4). It is necessary to mount it suspended because, for example, camera 10 (up) checks the tokens from Z2 area whereas the camera 10 (down) checks the tokens from Z1 area of the concave series - Fig. 9, so that part of the pattern shall be seen on the edge of the token in the area that remain visible. MJC shall process and check at least a distance between two coordinates in the system and shall do the verification directly at the concave guide (4) located at the gaming table.

[0082] In this way, the checking procedure comprises of the following stages:

• the token is placed in the concave guide (4) and the photoelectric sensor (6) marks the presence of the token;
• the colour sensor confirms the authenticity of the colour of the token and, implicitly, its value;
• the video camera sensor measures the pattern located on the edge of the token and confirms the authenticity of the token.

[0083] The concave guide (4) is provided with infrared light for photo sensors, LED light for colour sensors and ultraviolet light for invisible paint with which the patterns created on the edge of the token may be seen.

[0084] The subsystem (S3) generating holographic images has, as entry data, the signals from the tokens that the individually monitored by means of a photoelectric sensor (6) and which is comprised of a device that generates holographic images (11) and a module (MGH) generating holographic images what allows, when a jackpot bonus is offered at the live tables, the automatic generation of a hologram, coordinated with live bets, which reproduces the winning player's face, the last bet at the table, casino commercials and other relevant holographic images.

[0085] The subsystem (S4) for automatic generating jackpot following the bets placed at live tables is in permanent dialog with the base subsystem (S1) which generates a balance for each betting box (3) by means of monitoring the tokens that enter and exit the floats (F1.... Fn) at each betting session in real time, basically having these information permits the generation of jackpot at the table by increasing a percentage from each bet placed at the betting box.

[0086] The subsystem (S4) structure includes a jackpot display (12) installed at the gaming table and a MGJ module generating automatic jackpot. The subsystem displays the jackpot and the amount increased in jackpot following the bets placed shall be calculated with support of the MGJ module and thus, when the jackpot is offered, the display shall show the amount and the winning betting box. In the current context, each betting box (3) shall be deemed a slot machine and basically if, for example, the table has seven betting boxes (3), the subsystem shall offer the jackpot to a single box similar to the situation when the jackpot is offered at slot machines and one slot machine wins the displayed jackpot where a group of more than one slot machines participates.

[0087] Based on the fact that the amount from each betting box is known, the following procedure, with the support of the guide/concave guides and of the sensors fitted next to the betting boxes, is considered:

• the token that enters/exits the concave guide is paid from the winning box;
• the playing cards located on the sensor attached to the betting box where the token was paid are taken;
• the system allocates the token(s) from the guide/concave guides to the sensor which becomes uncovered by the playing card;
• knowing the value of the token(s) assigned to the betting box, a percentage from the token(s) value may be increased with in the jackpot type bonus system.

[0088] For implementing the bonus system, it is provided the mounting of a display at the gaming table and/or virtual reality (hologram) where it will be displayed the total value of the prices based on a principle similar to the one applicable to slot machines. These jackpots and prices shall be granted and generated based on placed bets, according to the previous mentioned procedure.

[0089] When the increase/increment percentage is reached, based on pre-set parameters, it will be randomly chosen the winning betting box where the amount, from the device fitted at the gaming table, shall be paid, thus being checked also the amount paid by the jackpot against the tokens taken out from the concave guides.

[0090] Based on this system, it is thus possible to generate jackpot at the card table and thus the jackpots at the live tables can be connected with slot machine type systems.

[0091] The above described method shows that each betting box can individually participate at the jackpot type bonus system that is similar to the one applicable to slot machines where each slot machine participates individually to the prices pre-set and offered by the system.

[0092] Consequently, taken into account that one can obtain information from each betting box, such data may be treated at individual level as a (participating) slot to jackpot and thus the betting boxes from live casino can participate and be connected in real time to slot machine system, allowing thus a more interactive play for the players as well as more players participating at jackpots.

[0093] The subsystem (S5) for drying the dealers' palms is designated to prevent the dealer's tendency to wipe them off the table or the clothes when hands are sweat and to prevent thus the risk of inserting tokens into own pockets, given that as a result of implementing such method basically eliminates the possible excuse of the dealer to take hands off above the table.

[0094] To this end, one miniature ventilator (13) is installed on the side parts of the float (F1....Fn), which is controlled by the activation module (MA) which blows air so that the dealer can dry its palms.

[0095] The MA activation module allows either for the individually controlled activation by human factor intervention or its activation following the detection by photoelectric sensors (16) of the ventilators, if climate factors impose the need to command the ventilators.

[0096] The subsystem (6) generating sound synchronized with the movement of token in the electronic float is based, as it the case for the base S1 subsystem, on the fact that the tokens are individually monitored, by installing one photoelectric sensor (6) for each token. When the token is taken out or inserted in the float (F1...Fn) with the help of a diffusor (14) connected to a sound generating module (MGS), it is thus possible for one or more polyphonic sounds to be generated upon each entrance or exit of the token into/from the device (for example, chi chi ching) or when a certain amount, calculated/pre-set by the system, is reached.

[0097] Consequently, the system in its entirely offers better experience for the player, with sensation similar to that when playing the slot machines.

Claims

1. System for the optimisation of monitoring of a chip game practiced in a casino comprised of a base subsystem (S1) which can incorporate a video camera (15) and a corresponding software module designated for facial recognition and made up of at least one float (F1.....Fn) each containing 1...n rows with value tokens (1), 1....n rows of colour tokens (2) and 1...n betting boxes (3) from playing cards, in which each of the floats (F1....Fn) is fitted with a concave optic module (4) in which an electronic module (5) is mounted with photoelectric sensors (6) for each token for the identification of the value of the tokens (1) and of the value of the betting boxes (3), on one side of the float (F1 ...Fn) being mounted own light source (7) comprised of a series of infrared LED, one LED for each token, with wavelength in visible, infrared or ultraviolet spectrum, depending on the optic sensors used, on the other side of the float (F1...Fn) being fitted colour sensors (8) that attests the fact the all tokens (2) for counting and identification of the colour of the tokens (2) in which the module (5) contains a microcontroller (9) that takes over the information from sensors (6) and/or (8), calculates the balance on the gaming table and assigns it to the dealer present at the gaming table, via a dedicated software application which allows the monitoring of the gaming table in real time, characterized in that, with the scope of optimizing the monitoring, the subsystem (S1) interacts with a subsystem (S2) specially conceived for identifying the counterfeit tokens located on the table, a subsystem (S3) especially conceived for generating holograms, a subsystem (S4) especially conceived for the automatic generation of jackpot based on the bets placed in real time at live tables, a subsystem (S5) specially conceived for the drying of dealer's palms and a subsystem (S6) especially conceived for generating sound synchronized with the movement of the token from the float.

2. Optimized photoelectric system, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the subsystem (S2) for the identification of counterfeit tokens from the playing table is each comprised of a video camera (10) mounted suspended at each end of the series of tokens from the concave guide (4) which allows the verification of the tokens from the half of the area opposed to the guide, which has displayed the light coming from the source (7) which makes visible the pattern existing on the edge of the token, and a module for identifying the counterfeit tokens (MJC) which implements via a dedicated software specially assigned for video camera based on calculating the distance between two or more coordinates located on the design from the margin from the edge of the token respectively, which represents a pattern identical for one single denomination.

3. Optimized photoelectric system, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the subsystem (S3) for generating the holograms which receives signals from the tokens that are subject to individual monitoring, upon their entry in the float, through a photoelectric sensor (6) and which has in its components a device (11) which generates holographic images and a module (MGH) which allows the automatic generation of hologram, when the jackpot type price is awarded at the live tables, hologram which is coordinated with the live betting, that reproduces the winner's face, the last bet, the image of the table, the casino commercials as well as other relevant holographic images.

4. Optimized photoelectric system, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the subsystem (S4) for the automatic generation of jackpot is in direct dialog with the base subsystem (S1) which generates a balance for each betting box (3) by monitoring the tokens that enter and exit the floats (F1 ...Fn) at each betting session in real time, and which has in its structure a jackpot display (12) installed at each gaming table as well as an automatic jackpot generating module (MGJ) designated to calculate the amount increased in the jackpot depending on the placed bets so that at the time of the jackpot award the display to show the amount and the winning betting box.

5. Optimized photoelectric system, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the subsystem (S5) for drying the dealer's palms is provided with a miniature ventilator (13) on the side parts of the floats (F1 ...Fn) controlled by the activation module (AM) which blows air so that the dealer can dry his/her palms and which allows either individual triggering controlled upon human intervention or its triggering resulting from the detection of the ventilator by photoelectric sensors (16) namely of parameters that require ventilators command.

6. Optimized photoelectric system, according to the claim 1, characterized in that the subsystem (S6) for generating sound synchronized with the movement of the token from the electronic float, comprised of a diffuser (14) connected to the sound generating module (MGS) that can generate one or more polyphonic sounds at each entrance or exit of the token in/from the float (F1....Fn), subject to individual monitoring through the photoelectric sensor (6) attached to each token or to a certain amount calculated by the system.

7. Method for optimizing a chip game practiced in a casino, characterized in that it involves the following sequencial steps:

Step 1: Identification of the player through registration at the casino reception or by using a video camera provided with facial recognition software;

Step 2: Automatic allocation of dealers in a fair manner based on the results/balance sheet obtained by dealers at the gaming table;

Step 3: Verification by the dealer through the system that the amount of tokens taken from the device corresponds to the amount effectively chanced by the player;

Step 4: Identification of possible counterfeit tokens by means of introducing each token in the concave guide corresponding to the pre-established denomination at the beginning of the day and which sets out the presence, the colour and possible counterfeit element for each token;

Step 5: Drying the dealer's palms, if necessary;

Step 6: Generating a polyphonic sound, according to pre-established rules, upon entrance or exit of a token from its position;

Step 7: Automatic generation of jackpot;

Step 8: Generating of hologram and of a complex image comprising also the name of the winner when the latter is announced.

8. Optimizing method, according to the claim 7, is characterized in that for the implementation of Step 2 for the automatic allocation of dealers, the following sequence must be complied with :

- the workday is selected from the employees' program;

- the list of dealers together with work shifts on the specific day is displayed; - the tables to be opened are selected;

- the dealers register themselves in the system through the control access module;

- before the tokens are attached to the device, the dealer calculates the balance sheet for the playing table in place when he/she registered him/herself in the device and when the next dealer registers him/herself;

- based on information relating to the presence of players and of the balance sheets of the dealers obtained with these players at various tables and games, then:

a)-the dealer allocates one player for each betting box;

b) -the system verifies in BD the balance of the dealers who interacted with the selected player at the table where the player's box was allocated and checks whether the dealers that could be part of the possible ranking are present;

c) -the system searches the list of present dealers and, after the ranking is established, the following types of dealers/dealers shall result:

- dealers with positive balance;

- dealers with negative balance;

- dealers with 0 balance.

- the above procedure is continued with on condition that a dealer does not return at the same table prior to 40 minutes;

- in case the facial recognition module is used, the system shall allocate the previous recognized player to the betting box.

9. Optimizing method, according to the claim 7, characterized in that for the implementation of Step 4 for the identification of counterfeit tokens the following sequence of steps must be complied with:

- the token is inserted in the concave guide and the photoelectric sensors sense the presence of the token;

- the colour sensor confirms the authenticity of the colour of the token and implicitly its value;

- the signal generated by two video cameras mounted at each of the two ends of the concave guide permits the identification of the tokens from the areas opposite to the concave series so that part of the pattern from the edge of the token remains visible;

- the sensor of the video camera measures the pattern on the edge of the token and confirms the authenticity of the token, by measuring the distance between one or more coordinates (points) located on the drawing on the margin namely on the edge of the token, drawing that represents a pattern that is identical for all tokens in the same denomination.

10. Optimizing method, according to the claim 7, characterized in that the implementation of Step 7 for the automatic generation of jackpot, has as starting point the known amount coming from each betting box with the support of the guide/concave guides (4) and of the sensors mounted next to the betting boxes (3) and involves the following sequence:

- the token that enters/exits the concave guide is paid from the winning box; - the playing cards from the betting box from where the token was paid are removed;

- the system allocates the token(s) from the guide/concave guides to the sensors from which the playing cards were removed;

- knowing the value of the token(s) allocated to the betting box, a percentage from the value of the token(s) can be incremented in the jackpot type bonus system;

- when the increment percentage is reached, it will be randomly selected based on prior set parameters the winning box from where the amount shall be paid from the device mounted on the table, being thus verified also the amount paid by the jackpot versus the tokens taken out from the concave guides.

Drawing